St Ignatius Spiritual Exercises
The Exercises are Divided into 4 Dynamic Phases called “Weeks”
- The first week consists of exercises that are characteristic of the purgative way, the purification of the soul frees so as one advances toward God.
- The second-week present exercises proper to the movement of the illuminative was -with the acquiring of virtues in the imitation of Christ where we are called to participate with Him in spreading His kingdom.
- The third and fourth weeks have the contemplative characteristics of the unitive or perfective way with activities to establish a habitual and intimate union with God through Christ. We associate closely with Christ in his suffering in the third week and its joy in the fourth week.
- The Exercise concludes with a Contemplation of the Passion to increase one’s love of God.
Principle and Foundation
God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by
doing this, to save their souls.
God created all other things on the face of the earth to help fulfill this
purpose.
From this it follows that we are to use the things of this world only to
the extent that they help us to this end, and we ought to rid ourselves
of the things of this world to the extent that they get in the way of this
end.
All the things in this world are gifts of God, presented to us so that we
can know God more easily and make a return of love more readily.
As a result, we appreciate and use all these gifts of God insofar as they
help us develop as loving persons. But if any of these gifts become the
center of our lives, they displace God and so hinder our growth toward
our goal.
For this it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created
things as much as we are able, so that we do not necessarily want
health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather
than dishonor, a long rather than a short life, and so in all the rest, so
that we ultimately desire and choose only what is most conducive for
us to the end for which God created us.
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance before all of
these created gifts insofar as we have a choice and are not bound by
some obligation. For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God. Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God’s deepening his life in me.
The goal of our life is to live with God forever. God, who loves us, gave
us life. Our own response of love allows God’s life to flow into us
without limit.
The Kingdom
The call of an earthly king who invites his subjects to consider joining him in a noble undertaking on behalf of humankind. Christ the King we encounter is none other than the Jesus of history who first labored, suffered and died on behalf of the kingdom of God before being raised from the dead to live in the fulness of God’s love for all eternity.
It is my will to conquer all the lands of the infidel. Therefore, whoever wishes to join me in this enterprise must be content with the same food, drink, clothing, etc., as mine. So, too, they must work with me by day, and watch with me by night, etc., so that as they have had a share in the toil with me, afterwards, they may share in the victory with me. It is my will to conquer the whole world and all my enemies, and thus to enter into the glory of my Father. Therefore, whoever wishes to join me in this enterprise must be willing to labor with me, that by following me in suffering, they may follow me in glory.
The focus is on the king’s exceptional character. He is willing to sacrifice all that he has for the good of his people, and he asks the same of those who would follow him. His invitation reaches out to all regardless of their ability or preparedness for the task at hand. Moreover, in a spirit of complete honesty, he makes clear there will be hardship before there is victory and rejoicing. Consider what the response of a good subject ought to be to a king who is so generous and noble. In fact, anyone who would refuse the king’s invitation would justifiably deserve to be condemned by the whole world as an ignoble servant.
Ask for the grace not to be deaf to Jesus’ call, but eager and ready to do God’s will. The stakes of discipleship with Jesus are high. To follow him is to take seriously the gospel stories about his unwavering dedication to God’s will and service to God’s people. Jesus will lead us beyond ourselves to participate in God’s ongoing plan for the creation and salvation of this world. Recognizing this reality neither undermines our personal relationship with God, nor our individual quest for salvation. In truth, it is from our commitment to God’s larger plan for the salvation of all of creation that our personal salvation is realized.
Two Standards
Imagine there are two armies on a battlefield, each with a banner (a "standard") representing their cause: Christ and Satan. We have to choose where we are going to stand—with Jesus or with the Satan.
There is a CHOICE: a stark choice, to follow Christ's path of poverty, humility, and service, or to follow Satan's path of riches, honor, and pride.
Christ's army, is characterized by simplicity, humility, and a focus on serving God and others, leading to true freedom and happiness. He who is not with me is against me.
We move under Jesus’ standard when we join him in the living conviction that everything we have and are is God’s gift. However much or little we have, we say gratefully, “Look at all God has given me.” Then the way opens through the smoke of self-satisfaction and approval of others. “How can I help you bring the kingdom?” becomes a daily preoccupation. And through a life of love and service, the Spirit leads us to live as meekly and humbly as the Lord lived.
Christ walks with his friends on a field and invites them first to desire 1) Spiritual – and sometimes material – poverty, then 2) Underappreciation and criticism, which naturally lead to 3) Humility, “the door to all virtues”. This surprising stairwell seems to go down in the world, but results in salvation, a full life and communion with God and others with great fruits.
We asked for the grace to know Jesus more intimately, to love him more dearly, and to follow him more closely. This love leads us to be with Jesus in his suffering.
Satan's army is depicted as tempting people with worldly desires, leading to a life of self-centeredness and pride, ultimately enslaving them to vice.
The way of Satan differs entirely. The starting point is getting as much wealth as you can. You say, “Look at all this stuff I have.” When the world’s way opens before you, you shift your focus, saying, “Look at me with all this stuff.” As those around you grow more deferential, you start saying, “Look at me.” You become convinced that you are the center of your world.
Satan sits on a high chair among fire and smoke, sending demons to trap and enslave the masses via three simple steps: 1) Desire for riches, 2) Desire for honors, which lead naturally to 3) Hubris. Each step seems to move the person “up” in the world. However, the higher they go, the closer they are to their demise. In a surprising twist, when they get to the top, they reach the bottom.
What do the two standards say to us? Perhaps one says “selfishness,” and the other says “selflessness.” Or perhaps “prestige” and “humility.” Or “power” and “charity.” What are the actual temptations I face in my life today, which might lead me away from the service of faith and the Kingdom?
Passion of Christ
The grace we seek is compassion. We reflect not merely on the physical pain he endured but also on the emotional, interior suffering of a person who is misunderstood, isolated, rejected, and alone.
Take some time to silence your mind. As you enter the scene, open your heart, and remember that your encounter is less about you being the doer than the receiver. Let the Holy Spirit be the protagonist, and ask the Spirit to illuminate your heart and mind as you walk to the foot of the Cross upon which Jesus is hanging.
We have come to that “deathbed” moment—and there is no going back. The events have played out as God intended, and you cannot change history. What you can do is be there, be present to Jesus in his suffering.
Notice how none of the disciples are here except John, who is with Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Observe the scene using your five senses. See how dark the sky has become. Hear the sobs of Mary and John and agonized moans of Jesus and the two thieves piercing the silence of the hill. Upon your tongue, taste the dust that has been kicked up by the wind. Also carried on the wind are the nauseating scents of blood, sweat, and vinegar—the smell of death. Feel the dust sticking to your clammy skin in the humid air. It’s so uncomfortable, isn’t it?
Raise your eyes to Jesus. It is so hard to look upon him, so difficult to be with one who is dying. It is even more difficult when it is such a young person, and the death is unjust and the manner of death so torturous.
As you raise your eyes to Jesus, his eyes light up. He smiles. You wonder how he can smile when he’s in so much pain. A tear rolls down his blood-stained cheek, cleaning away the dirt in its path. He looks at you with such love that it breaks your heart. With his head, he motions for you to come closer. You move as close as you can to the wood of the Cross before the soldier extends his lance, barring you from inching any closer.
In a soft voice, Jesus asks you earnestly:
What is it that you are afraid of? What is it that pains you? What is it that tortures you? Tell me. I am listening. Bring it to me. Leave it here at the foot of my Cross. Let it go. I’ve got it. Be free. Live!
You are speechless.
Mary comes up beside you and places her hand on your shoulder. “Do as he tells you,” she whispers gently in your ear.
Stay with his questions.
Jesus is pouring out his blood for you. It is time for you to pour out your heart to him.
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